First data on the antimicrobial activity of Yucca filamentosa L. bark exytacts

The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial activity of two Yucca filamentosa L. extracts produced by hydro-alcoholic extraction under different operational conditions. The extracts were concentrated and de-alcoholised, and were added to media to test their effects on target microorganisms. Both extracts displayed equivalent specific growth inhibitory activity against Saccharomyces cerevisiae. No other antimicrobial activity was found. This anti-fermentative activity may open the doors to new possibilities for using Yucca filamentosa L. extracts in the food industry. These findings are of particular interest, since yucca extracts are already classified as being generally recognized as safe (GRAS).